JULY 19, 2025 – THE BEAST

READ: Dan. 7:15–28: … to change times and the law …

Daniel is deeply disturbed by these visions. He asks one of the angels a question. The angel explains that the four kingdoms are established on earth, but there is no reason to be afraid, for they will perish by God’s judgment.

The saints of the Most High—believers who honor God and place their trust in Him—will receive the kingdom (v.18). The kingdom will not be taken from them, as happens with those earthly powers; God’s kingdom will never end.

Yet Daniel wants to know more about that most terrifying monster, the fourth beast that destroys everything and everyone—and especially about the eleventh horn (v.19). He explains his curiosity in verses 21 and 22: he saw that this horn waged war against the saints and prevailed against them until the Most High rendered judgment.

First, the angel confirms that this beast will spread destruction everywhere. Ten kings will arise from that kingdom; the eleventh will be different from the others, especially because he will speak blasphemous words against the Most High.

The Roman Empire falls apart into multiple kingdoms: this concerns the New Testament period—”a time and times and half a time” (v.25; compare Rev. 12:14). This fourth beast is the beast from Revelation, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads is a blasphemous name.

Rev. 13:5-7 says: “And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies … It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them …”

But in Rev. 19:20 we also read: “Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet … These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.”

This is the antichrist, the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction who aims to change the law (2 Thess. 2:3ff). But the Lord will consume him with the breath of His mouth and destroy him by the splendor of His coming (2 Thess. 2:8).

Do we see signs of “the beast” in our own time?

Sing: Ps. 56:1